Western cyclone., 1887-07-29
BANK WATCHMAN'S STORY

put in over thirty years at it.
"But you are not more than 40 nowf"
"Forty-one sir, and began the busi-
ness when I was 10 years old"
THAT was tender age, and there
must be Q story connected with your
debut"
Right you are sir, and if you have halt
hour to spare I'll tell you the yarn. When
was kid of my father was made night
watchman of the old Traders Bank of
Philadelphia. Everything was primitive
then, as you may remember. There were
bad men about, but there was no need of
burglar proof safes and time-locbs to cir
cumvent them. Banks were then run
about the same Us stores. The Traders
opened at in the morning and closed at
in the afternoon, and the last official did
not leave until z. at which time my father
went on duty. He was on from that hour
until in the morning, but was not sup
posed TO be awake all the time. He had Il
cot-bed IN the Office, and many a night
slept all night without once opening his
eyes. although he was supposed TO sleep so
lightly that every noise would arouse him.
He was provided with q club and shot
gun, and there was no fear of his honesty
or courage.
Things went on very quietly for
couple of years, and was then employed
as sort Of messenger boy by lestau-
rant man who kept his place open all
night. If drunken man came in, which
was nightly occurrence, or if a loafer
sought to jump his bill, which was often
the case, made run of two blocks to
the poice-station for an officer. In this
way. and by acting as waiter at one of
the tables, earned small weekly salary,
and in the bargain it was agreed that |
should carry my father u lunch every
night at midnight. This consisted of a
pail OF hct coffee, q sandwich and piece
OF pie. was alwas off at the stroke Of
~. took walk of two squares, and father
was generally at the door waiting for me-
''YOu will readily see, sir. that the cir
cumStances furnished a sharp man the Oc-
casiOn to do q big Strok of work, but it
was two years before they were taken ad-
vantage of. Then couple of crooks, one
OF whom was from England, set up the
racket. For several nights was followed
from the res aurant to the bank and back.
It was known why made the trip, how
father received me, and how long l re-
mained inside. My time in the bank was
about a quarter of an hour, and then
father let me out. and sometimes stood at
the door and atched me down to the
corner. Well, as it turned out, the crooks
put 1t up 70 get into the bank as | came
out, or just after had gone. They had
timed the officer on that beat, and at 1890
he was invariably at the other end Of his
beat, five squares away. The police busi-
ness at that time was run on a haphazard
way, and an officer could sit and sleep in
doorway or patrol his beat, as he was in
ali II
beat, but he was slow walker, and fond
Of L-5 pipe. As his smoking was mostly
done st the other end of his beat, ne was
certain TO take his time about coming
back.
did have my suspicious? l did, sir.
Begging your pardon for what seems like
boasting, but was accounted verv sharp
boy at tnat age, and think that realized
fathers responsibilities more than he did
himself. was always giving him word
OF caution, and the very first time | was
followed / suspicioned that so nething evil
was intended, and / warned him not to
open the door until knocked. The next
night the two men were close at my heels,
and would not knock until they had left
me. Father agreed with nc tha' it was
best to be cautious, and next day the old
gun was discharged and loaded anew. [
AOAAO"OA VA VIC tullN3 lOuItII anu I4ltu
nights. and 1t was on this latter night that
the climax came. AS left the restaurant
l was Joined by one of the men, who
claimed to be vesSel-owner, and who
asked me how would like to go to sea.
he gave me lot of taffy abou, my being
the SmarteSt boy he ever saw, and wish
dng to do something for me, and as we
arrived at the bank door he halted with
me, and said he would step in and see
father. At the same time saw the police
man smoking his pipe in the next door.
Now, sit. hope you won't lay it up
against me for saying that tumbled 10 the
racket at once, for that is the truth While
swallowed none of the taffy given me, l
no sooner saw the policeman at that point
with his pipe alight than | twigged him
Tor pal in disguise. had been observ-
Ing things for two years, mind YOU, and
such On innovation was not to be passed
over. explained to the man that it
would be against the rules to admit him,
and that he must see father the next day.
and after discussing the matter for while
ne walked of. Then l gave four knocks
on the door, and father opened it. He was
1nclined 10 rldicule my excitement, but
nnally came round 10 praise nv caution.
lett Ht about the usual time and was
glad to find the streets deserted. re-
turned to the restaurant at 4 fast walk.
but no sooner had I reached it than /
wheeled about for the bank. Itstruck me
oil at once that the policeman had caught
on to my four knocks, and that after |
had gone the pair might seek to get father
% the door by giving them. l dropped
the dishes and started off at a run, and in
Ihree or four minutes was Mt tho haI,lr
The door was slightly open and l jumped
ngnt against i and flung it back 4 light
Mas Always lett burning, and at a glancel
saw that father was down and both men
on top Of him. They had his head Gov.
cred with cloth, and though he was call
ing out his cries could not have been heard
Ten feet. '''A"
-. Lhe cot was at the left as you entered
pank, and the gun stood at the foot of
lt. Iu-t the minntc I -. - - -